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Key Points

South Korea's special counsel has leveled serious accusations against former first lady Kim Keon Hee involving collusion with a shaman. The allegations include receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church and participating in a stock manipulation scheme. Kim denies the accusations, but the investigation continues to uncover potential political improprieties. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding political influence and corporate relationships in South Korean politics.

Key Points: Kim Keon Hee Accused of Shaman Bribery Scandal

  • Kim allegedly received luxury gifts from Unification Church shaman
  • Accused of stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors
  • Meddled in parliamentary candidate nominations
  • Church aide questioned about bribery scheme
2 min read

South Korea: Former first lady accused of colluding with shaman

South Korean special counsel reveals explosive allegations against former first lady involving Unification Church gifts and political manipulation

"The special counsel team characterized Kim as a conspirator - Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's Warrant"

Seoul, Aug 8

A South Korean special counsel team has accused former first lady Kim Keon Hee of colluding with a shaman over bribery allegations in connection to the Unification Church, according to a warrant for her arrest Friday.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team made the accusation in the warrant filed Thursday, detailing that Kim worked with the shaman, named Jeon Seong-bae, to receive luxury gifts, including a diamond necklace, from the church in 2022.

The former first lady has denied receiving the gifts in return for business favours, while Jeon has admitted to accepting them but denied sending them to Kim.

The team also characterised Kim as a "conspirator" in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsche Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea, from 2009 to 2012 rather than a mere accomplice, according to the warrant seen by Yonhap News Agency.

Kim also faces allegations of meddling in a candidate nomination for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections in return for receiving free opinion polls from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the presidential election that year.

Meanwhile, an aide to the leader of the Unification Church appeared before the special counsel team Friday to be questioned about her role in the alleged bribery case involving the former first lady.

The woman surnamed Jeong was summoned as a suspect by Min's team to be grilled about the allegations the Unification Church asked Jeon, the shaman, to deliver luxury gifts to Kim in 2022 in exchange for business favours.

Jeong serves as chief of staff to Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja and deputy head of the church's top administrative body, Yonhap news agency reported.

The business favours allegedly included support for the church's participation in development projects in Cambodia, its acquisition of broadcaster YTN, and South Korea's hosting of a United Nations office.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Shocking but not surprising... reminds me of some Indian godmen cases. When will powerful people learn that corruption always comes to light? Hope justice is served properly in this case.
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Aman W
Diamond necklaces and stock manipulation? This sounds like a Bollywood movie plot! But seriously, such cases damage public trust in democracy everywhere. South Korea should set a strong example in punishing corruption.
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Sarah B
As someone living in India but following Korean politics, I must say their justice system seems more proactive than ours in investigating powerful people. We could learn from their special counsel system.
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Vikram M
The Unification Church again? They've been controversial for decades. Interesting how these religious groups try to influence politics across Asia. In India we need to be extra careful about such foreign religious organizations.
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Kavya N
While the allegations are serious, let's not jump to conclusions. Everyone deserves fair investigation and due process. The media trial has already begun though - same happens in India with high-profile cases.
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Michael C
The Cambodia development project angle is particularly concerning. Foreign religious groups using political connections for land deals abroad - we've seen similar patterns in Africa with some Indian groups too. Needs international scrutiny.

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